Danbury Zoning Commission Meeting - May 13, 2026: Approval of Fire Station in The Reserve

Note: The transcript states the meeting date as May 12, 2026, but the user instruction specifies May 13, 2026. This summary uses the date provided in the instruction.

The Danbury Zoning Commission held a virtual meeting on May 13, 2026, primarily to consider a petition to amend the master plan for The Reserve, a large development on the city's west side. The amendment would reclassify a portion of Phase 10 (approximately 18.2 acres) from office/commercial use to a neighborhood community facility, specifically to allow construction of a fire station. The commission also set public hearing dates for two separate zoning regulation amendments. After a public hearing, the petition was approved unanimously with a condition regarding access.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the April 14, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Rotolo, Councilman (13 Linden Place, Danbury): Spoke in favor of the petition, noting the nearly 25-year history of The Reserve and the need for a fire station on the west side. He expressed concern that the condition proposed by Toll Brothers (all ingress/egress exclusively from Old Ridgebury Road) might prohibit emergency access to The Reserve via internal roads. He stated that if the condition were interpreted to restrict emergency response, it would be a "deal breaker." After clarification from Toll Brothers, he withdrew his objection, saying he was "100%" satisfied.
• Jack Lanneman, Division President, Toll Brothers: Clarified that the condition applied only to construction vehicles and that Toll Brothers had no issue with fire trucks using internal roads during emergencies. He emphasized that the condition was meant to prevent unnecessary construction traffic on reserve roads.
• Gary R. Michael Jr., Attorney, Fairway Asset Management 2 LLC: Expressed support for the petition, noting his company had owned the parcel since around 2012 and was pleased to see progress on a beneficial use for the city.

Discussion Items

• Planning Director Waleed Al Bakri's Staff Report: Presented the history of The Reserve master plan (2002, 2004, 2016 addendum, 2021 revisions). He explained that the petition would change the land use for Phase 10 from office/banking/business services/non-profits to neighborhood retail services and community facilities (fire station). He stated the site is limited to approximately 10,000 square feet of development due to wetlands, slope, and a wildlife corridor. The petition also includes minor table updates and cleanup of handwritten notes from the 2021 revision. He confirmed the proposed fire station addresses a documented deficit in emergency response infrastructure on the city's west side, consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).
• Planning Commission Recommendation: The Danbury Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation on May 6, 2026, citing consistency with the POCD and the need for improved emergency services.
• WestCOG Referral: The Western Connecticut Council of Governments found the proposal to be of primarily local concern with limited intermunicipal impact.
• Chairman Theodore Hadad: Questioned the director about why the amendment was phrased to replace the existing office use entirely rather than adding community facilities. Director Al Bakri explained it was done because the fire station is highly probable, and if it does not materialize, a future amendment could restore the original use. Chairman Hadad also emphasized that the condition from Toll Brothers should be exactly as written and not expanded; the director agreed.
• Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Botello asked about construction plans, the number of fire trucks, and whether the new station would replace the existing Mill Plain station. The director replied that detailed design would come in a later site plan application, and the Mill Plain station would remain. Commissioner Novas was noted as an alternate and could not second a motion.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Petition to Amend The Reserve Master Plan: The commission voted unanimously (9-0) to approve the petition with the following reasoning:
  • The change to permit a fire station is consistent with the POCD's directive to enhance public safety and addresses a documented deficit in emergency response on the west side.
  • The petition will not adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of the general public.
  • The approval is conditioned on the inclusion of the exact language requested by Toll Brothers in the 2026 addendum: "All development in the above phase shall have ingress and egress exclusively from Old Ridgebury Road." (Clarified on the record that this applies only to construction and does not restrict emergency response.)
• New Business: Two petitions were received and set for public hearing on June 23, 2026:
  1. Petition to amend zoning regulations (sections 2B, 5A, 5B, etc.) to add sections 5j and 8f.
  2. Petition to amend the zoning map to implement a Mixed-Use Transit-Oriented District (MU-TOD), a Priority Housing Development Overlay Zone, and create two conservation and traffic mitigation districts in compliance with HB 8002.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.